The article reports that there is an outbreak of diphtheria in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, with 15 confirmed cases, mostly in the Keffi area. The state's health officials noted that the affected individuals are mostly children aged between 2 months and 11 years, and many of them were not vaccinated. Dr. Attah Peter from the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health explained that the lack of vaccinations is the main reason for the outbreak. He highlighted that it is concerning for an 11-year-old to contract diphtheria, as they should have been vaccinated years ago. Other states, like Kano, are also experiencing similar issues, with even adults affected due to not being vaccinated. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported this year because the cases were detected early and treated promptly. Vaccines and treatments have been sent to local hospitals to help manage the situation. Dr. Attah urged parents to take advantage of free vaccinations available at healthcare centers, emphasizing that children should receive their vaccines from birth to 18 months, along with booster shots. He also mentioned that girls aged 9 to 11 should get the HPV vaccine to help prevent cervical cancer. Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that can cause breathing problems and can be deadly if not treated quickly.
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